Torque converter



Jan. 30, 1945. w Mp 2,368,279

TORQUE CONVERTER Filed Oct. 5, 1942 8 SheetsPSh eet l V I N V EN TOR. Ernest E Wernp.

Jan. 30, 1945. E. E. WEMP TORQUE CONVERTER Filed Oct. 5, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 lllll QN l Jan. 30, 1945. E. E. WEMP TORQUE CONVERTER Filed Oct. 5, 194

8 a -Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Zrflest If l Jan. 30, 1945. w 2,368,279

TORQUE CONVERTER Filed Oct. 5, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR. 2 7w est If l/Vemp Jan. 30, 1945. V E. E. wEw 2,368,279

TORQUE CONVERTER Filed Oct. 5, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. Ernest Z. Wimp 0 BY Jan. 30, 1945. w 2,368,279

TORQdE CONVERTER Filed Oct. 5, 1942 8 sheetssheet 7 INVENTOR.

Ernest 1i IVemp Fatented Jan. 30, 1945 TORQUE CONVERTER Ernest E. Wemp, Detroit, Mich. Application October '5, 1942; Serial No. 460,795 13 Claims. (01. 74-1895) This invention relates to a mechanism for transmitting torque from one member to another. It has to do particularly with a torque converter of the fluid or hydraulic type for providing infinitely variable torque and speed ratios between a driving member and a driven member.

There are a number of objects of the invention, among which are the following: the provision of a hydraulic mechanism to which some ,of the torque of the driving member is transmitted thereto andwhich re-generates this torque back to the driving member; the provision of a hydraulic unit having a torus chamber for the flow of liquid therein and in which the functioning bladed elements in the mechanism are situated in the stream of liquid when the same is flowing substantially in an axial direction to the end that the elements work or function substantially on the same radius; the provision of a re-generating hydraulic mechanism controllable as to its action and particularly controllable by the angular ad- J'ustment of the blades of one of the bladed members functioning in the flowing body of liquid; the provision of an arrangement in a liquid torus chamber for providing a substantially uniform velocity front, particularly at the point in the oil-- cuit where the liquid is to encounter the blades of one of the rotary bladed elements; the provision of a re-generative system wherein the torque of the driving member is divided through the means of gearing, such, for example, as epicyclic gearing, one division of torque being transmitted to a driven member and another division being caused to be re-generated or fed back to the driving member; the provision of a continuously and automatically actuating torque converter yet one which is controllable as to its re-generating action, i. e., the application of torque through the hydraulic unit to the driving member. To the end of this latter object the blades of one of the hydraulic elements are variable as to their angularity from an extreme low position to an extreme high position. In the low position the arrangement may be such that no reegenerating action is'effected and in this way, as will later, be seen, .the transmission of torque from the driving member to the driven member may be substantially discontinued. In the high position, the angularity of the adjustable blades is relatively steep andsufflciently steep for providing the necessary maximum re generating action.

Other objects of the invention which may relate to the structural features of the mechanism as a whole, or to the hydraulic unit itself, and

the manner in which the liquid is caused-to flow'as and to be cooled or other features of the mechanical parts other than the hydraulic unit will become apparent as the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view of the torque converter, being partly in section and partly in side elevation and showing the construction of the hydraulic unit and the mechanical parts. v Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2'2 of Fig. 1 showing the epicyclic gear arrangement.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on 1ine 33 of Fig. 2.

(Fig. 4 is an end elevational view with parts in\section showing the structure of the impeller of the-hydraulic unit.-

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the impeller and its driving sleeve and controlling sleeve.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the face of the turbine of the hydraulic unit showing the several blades thereon.

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the stator of the hydraulic unit showing its construction and blade arrangement.

Fig. 8 is a developed view taken substantially on line 88 of Fig. 1 showing the blade arrangement oftthe impeller, stator and turbine.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 99 of Fig. 1 illustrating principally the stator structure and its arrangement in the housing.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line ill-i0 of Fig. 9 showing the stator and the inner core of the torus chamber.

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional diagrammatic view showing the two ends of the torus chamber moved in proximity to each other with the vaned elements removed to demonstrate the arrangement for, providing a substantially uniform velocity.

Fig. 15 is a. view largely incross section taken on line |5-|5 of Fig. 14 showing a pressure release valve.

Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line |5I5 of Fig. 1 showing the arrangement in the torus chamber.

Fig. 17 is a view largely in cross section showing a reversing mechanism which can be employed in connection with the torque converter.

In Fig. 1 a drive shaft is illustrated at and this is to be connected to a prime mover. The apparatus of this invention appears to be particularly useful with an engine of the internal combustion variety commonly used on both passenger and commercial automotive vehicles, although used in many other places. A'housing is shown as including a housing section 2 which may be designed to be connected directly to the prime mover. This housing has an enclosing head or plate 3 in which the shaft I is journalled as at 4. The housing includes a second section 5 connected to the housing part 2 as at 5. This part of the housing has a removable end plate or wall I and an intermediate head I4. An end portion 8 of the housing is attached to the section 5 as at 9 and a driven member or shaft I is journalled in the end section of the housing as at H. Suitable sealing devices or gaskets are used where the housing sections are joined and these are generally illustrated at l2. The driving shaft is joumalled or piloted within the driven member III as shown at I3.

First taking up the epicyclic gearing which is situated in the housing section 8, it will be noted that a carrier for the planetary gears is splined to the driving shaft as at II. This carrier has spaced side plates I8 and I9 for receiving pins upon which the planetary gears are journalled advantageously by small roller bearings 2|. As will be seen by reference to Fig. 2, the planetary gears are arranged in pairs. One gear 24 of each pair has gear teeth adjacent one end for meshing with an internally geared element 25. The other gear 26 of each pair has gear teeth adjacent the opposite end for meshing with the internal geared element 21. The teeth of each pair of gears mesh with each other, as shown in Fig. 2. The element 21 is a driven element in that it is connected to a flange 28 of the driven shaft I0, as at 29. The geared element constitutes one of the control members associated with the hydraulic unit and is drivingly connected as at 30 to a plate 3|. With this arrangement there is a -1:1 ratio between the internally geared elements 25 and 21. That is, if the planet carrier l5 be held locked, rotation of gear 25 in one direction will produce an equal rotation of gear 2! in the opposite direction.

The torque delivered by the driving shaft I is divided with some being transmitted into the driven member I0 and some into the controlling means and to the hydraulic unit through the elements 25 and 3|, N

Rotatably mounted upon the driving shaft I is a sleeve and the plate 3| is keyed or splined thereto as at 35. For purposes which will present ly appear, this sleeve and the parts connected thereto are prevented from backward or negative rotation by means of a one-way acting roller brake 31 wherein the rollers are arranged to grip a stationary outer ring 38 secured to the housing member 1 and an inner ring 39 secured t th sleeve 35. The sleeve is journalled in the housing as at 40 and is piloted on the driving shaft as at 4 I This sleeve carries the blades of the impeller.

It has a flange 42 for receiving and holding a hub element 44. This hub element (Fig. 4) is provided with radial bores for receiving the impeller blades. Each blade proper is illustrated at 45 and each has a pintle ll journalled in the hub. The pintle is passed into its bore axially and an enlarged shoulder 45 seats in a counterbore of the hub while the pintle has a circumferential groove for receiving a half washer or washer of U-shape 49. The hub 44 is then secured to the flange 42 by screws 45, and the parts thus held in assembly.

For controlling the angularity of the impeller blades there is a control sleeve 5| which is axially shiftable on the sleeve 35. One end of this sleeve is provided with spaced projecting fingers 52 which pass in between the pintles of the blades. Each pintle, on one side has a gear segment thereon and each finger has a gear rack on one side and the gear teeth of the rack and segment mesh as shown at 53. Thus, axial shift of the sleeve 5| will cause a .rotation of the blades of the impeller on their pintles.

The control of the axial position of the control sleeve 5| may be accomplished through the means of a rock shaft 55 journalled in the housing and having a yoke 51 with journal pins 58 connected to and carrying a ring 59 (Fig. 12) P sitioned over a thrust bearing 50, the inner race of which is fixed against axial movement relative to the sleeve 5| as shown in Fig. 1. This rock shaft is advantageously controlled by an irreversible controlling means so that once positioned, such position will be maintained. This may be accomplished through a worm and worm gear arrangement wherein the worm has an irreversible angle. One end of the shaft 55 extends out through the housing (Fig. 12) and is there provided with a worm gear 5|. A control shaft 52, which may 40 have a control handle 53 thereon, is provided with a worm 54 which meshes with the worm gear 5|. These control elements may be enclosed by a housing 55. It will be seen that by turning the handle 53 that the shaft 55 is caused to oscillate to thus in turn axially shift the control sleeve 5|. Axial forces on the control sleeve will not turn the control shaft 52 because of the irreversible angle on the worm. While, for convenience, the control handle 53 is positioned immediately adjacent the mechanism, it will be understood that any suitable control, such as a linkage connection or a Bowden wire ,arrangement, may be extended to any convenient location as, for example, to a position where the driver of the vehicle may operate the same.

A stator is positioned so that its blades or vanes are positioned in the torus chamber adjacent the impeller. The stator may comprise an outer supporting member III having a flange 1| positioned between the housing members 2 and 5. A number of struts l2 connect the inner and outer portions of the supporting member and are p0- sitioned to lie in the torus chamber. These struts are preferably of streamline construction to minimize interference with the flow of liquid in the torus chamber. The, inner or bladed section of the stator'has a body I3 press fitted or otherwise non-rotatably secured in the supporting member III and it has blades 14 lying between the inner and outer ring parts thereof and it also has an inwardly extending flange I5 which has a close but rotatable fit with the end portion of the sleeve flange on the driving member I as shown at BI. It will be noted that the blades of the impeller, stator and turbine are situated in the torus chamber and that the blades are disposed so that they are positioned substantially on the same radius and in the torus chamber where the liquid is flowing axially or substantially axially.

The torus chamber is located in the space more or less defined by the housing members 2 and and it will be understood that the torus chamber is concentric with the drive shaft I and it will be seen that the chamber is somewhat elongated in cross section with its long axis disposed axially of the drive shaft. The inner core of the torus chamber is advantageously provided with two sheetmetal members formed into U-shape cross section, as shown at 83 and 84, with their edges I fitting into machined offsets in the supporting as this structure has to do with obtaining a substantially uniform velocity -front, particularly where the liquid engages the impeller blades. For convenience the torus chamber may be considered as having an axial passage 88 in which lie the supporting struts I2 and an axial passage 89 which accommodates the blades of the impeller, stator and turbine, with the end portions at opposite ends of these passages.

One end portion comprises an outer Wall 90 in the form of a sheet metal annulus of curved form in cross section and a nest structure is provided by an additional dividing wall 9|. The walls 90' and SI may be connected into a single sub-assembly by plates or strips 92 (Fig. 16) and this structure provides an outer channel or passage 93 and The liquid to be used in the torus chamber may be an oil or special substance provided for the purpose or water, and Water is advantageous because of its relatively high specific gravity and low viscosity. In any event, the liquid may be in a circulatory system so that in addition to the flow in the torus chamber the liquid is passed through a circuit in which it may be cooled. To this end (see Fig. 14) there is an inlet IIO which connects into the space I I I back of the nest plate 90, this space being in communication with its inner portion 2 through the projections at 91. A suitable pump H3 secured to the side of the housing has an inlet II4 for the liquid. This pump may be driven by a helical gear H5 and a mating helical gear II6 operating from the drive shaft, as shown-in Fig. 1. An outlet port Ill leads from the chamber l I 8 back of the nest plate I00, the area II8 having an inner part H9 in communication therewith at the seat projections I05. A suitable pressure may be maintained on the liquid and to this end the outlet may have a static pressure relief valve in the form of a casing I20 with a spring pressed'valve member I2I normally closing the outlet port Ill. The pump operates against the relief valve and liquid flows through conduit I22 which may lead to a suitable cooler I23 and then through a conduit an inner channel or passage 94 through which the liquid flows. For the purpose of holding this nest structure in position within the housing, the housing may be formed to provide a seat and shoulder 95 for the outer peripheral edge of the member 30 while the bottom of the member 90 seats upon the partition I4 having accurately machined lugs or projections 91. The lugs or projections G'l permit passage of fluid past the same. The strips 92 are cut away asat 98 to provide some spacing relative to the member 90 with the result that the member 90 may be pushed into position within the housing part 5 and its outer peripheral edge is flexed and then the same snaps into position behind the shoulder at 96.

The opposite end of the torus chamber is of similar construction and which can be similarly assembled, the outer wall being shown at I00, the nest wall at IOI forming passageways I04 and I03 and the end head 3 of the,houslng 2 is formed with the projections I05 upon which the member I00 seats. The direction of flow of liquid in the torus chamber is clockwise as Fig. l is viewed and as shown by the arrows, and the arrangement of the nesting structure, as mentioned above, provides for the obtaining of the substantially uniform velocity front, particularly at the impeller blades, but this point will be discussed later.

I24 back to the pump inlet I I4. I

A clearance I30 is provided between the inner peripheral edge of the nest plate and the impeller and the water pumped into the space IIII I2 may enter the torus chamber through this clearance and the water is already moving generally in the direction of the flow in the torus chamber. A clearance I3I is provided between the turbine and the inner peripheral edge of the nest plate I00 so that the water which is displaced by that coming into the torus chamber flows out through the clearance I3I into the chamber II9II8. The inner peripheral edge of the nest plate I00 may be flared outwardly of the torus chamber, as shown.

It will be seen that the entire space in the housing between the end head 3 and the head I4 contains the liquid under pressure and suitable seals should be provided. To this end a seal structure I35 frictionally engages a shouldered element I36 under the pressure of a spring I31 to provide a seal between the housing and the shaft adjacent the bearing 4. The element I36 may be sealed relative to the housing by a socalled O-ring I38. A similar seal isprovided at one end of the sleeve 35 as at I40. Another seal I4l engages element I42 sealed to the head I4 by an O-ring and this seal may be of the expanding bellows type having a bellows I43, one end of which joins the sealing member MI and the other of which connects to a flange on the washer 50. This prevents the escape of liquid around the outside of the reciprocatin control sleeve 5| Seals of the O-ring type may also be employed between the control sleeve 5| and the member 50 as shown at I44 and betweenthe control sleeve and the impeller sleeve, as ,shown at I45, there ing mechanism and a suitable form of such rev .versing mechanism is shown in Fig. 17. Here the driven member Illa corresponds to the driven member I8 and the final driven member is shown at Ib. Thestructure shown is disposed in a housing 8a which may replace the housing 8. Keyed to the driven member No is a sun gear member I58 and journalled and slidably mounted upon the driven member I0a is a carrier member I5I. This carrier member has a plurality of planetary pinions journalled thereon, as shown at I 52. The teeth of these pinions mesh with the teeth of the sun gear I50 and with an internal 10 gear member I58 which is connected to the driven member Illb. The carrier member may be shifted by a shifting fork I58 operating from a controlling rock shaft I55. Teeth I58 on the carrier member are arranged to mesh with teeth I51 carried by the housing and teeth I58 are arranged to mesh with teeth I59 on the sun gear. In the position shown the structure is in neutral since rotation of the member I0a will cause the carrier I51 to have.an idling movement; without driving the member I0b. If the carrier is shifted to the left to establish a dental engagement between I58 and I51, the carrier is locked in a stationary position and the member I0b will be driven in reverse. If the carrier is shifted to the right to establish a dental engagement between I58 and I58, the carrier is locked with the sun gear and the sun gear and carrier ring I58 and driven member I0b operate as a locked-up unit.

4 Before describing the operation of the structure, reference should be made to Fi 11 showing the torus chamber nesting arrangement. It has been found that with a torus chamber of this general type the velocity of the liquid in the outer regions of the torus chamber is 'greater The outer than that near the inner regions. regions of the torus chamber thus referred to are those adjacent the nest plates 90 and I00 and the walls of the axial parts of the chamber in line with the ends of these nest plates, while 40 the inner, regions are those adjacent the core. The preferred arrangement is to construct the blades, and particularly the blades of the impeller, to operate at a uniform velocity across their radial extent, the shape of the blade being varied to take care of the varying radius but being designed to provide a straight line function across its face on any given radius. To provide for a uniform velocity front, particularly where the liquid enters the impeller blades, the nest.

let of the passage 94. In other words, the area of the passages 93 and 94, where they communicated with the axial passage 88, are equal. Likewise, the areas at the outlet of passage 84 and outlet of passage 93 are equal. Thus, itwill be seen the radial dimension across'the outlet of passage 83, which is on the'smaller radius, is

greater than that of the outlet of 84;. and the radial dimension across the inlet of passage 83, which is on the larger radius, is less than that across the inlet of passage 94. But the nest plate IOI is not so arranged. Its disposition is such that the inner peripheral edge of the nest plate MI is disposed radially inwardly (i. e., toward-the axis) relative to the inner peripheral edge of the nest plate 9|. Also, the outer peripheral edge of the nest plate IN is positioned radially inwardly relative to the outer peripheral edge of the nest plate SI. Thus the passage I08 gradually increases in cross sectional area in the direction of --flow of the liquid. and the passage I88 gradually decreases in the same direction. The situation may be visualized in this way: Some of the liquid which passes into the axial passage 88 from the passage I03 is sliced off by the outer peripheral edge of the nest plate 9| and crowded into the passage 94. This, it is believed, increases the velocity through passage 84 to what it would otherwise be, and, it is believed, decreases the velocity in the passage 83, and particularly along the wall of the nest plate 90. Also, some of the liquid entering the axial passage 88 from the passage 88 is sliced off and crowded into the passage I08, thus again providing accelerating function to the flow of liquid in the inner regions of the torus chamber. Possibly the fact that the passageway I03 gradually increases in cross sec- 7 tional area and that the passageway I04 gradually decreases in cross sectional area inthe direction of the flow of liquid is a contributing factor. The result is that by selecting a proper diametral relationship of the nest plates relative to each other, a substantially uniform velocity of flow may be obtained across the torus chamber in the axial passage 89 thereof, and particularly at a point where the liquid comes into engagement with the impeller blades. If the velocity front is not uniform in the axial passage .88, the matter is not of particular concern since there are no blades functioning therein. v

The structure operates; to provide infinitely variable speed and torque natios between the driving member I and the driven member I0. The

torque of the driving member is divided at the epicyclic gearing and some of it is transmitted to the driven member and some of it is transmitted to he hydraulic unit. The angularity of the blades of the impeller may be controlled to give the desired action under existing conditions, The impeller blades may be adjustable through about 40 with one extreme position where the impeller blades substantially parallel the plane of rotation or are at a substantially zero pitch. In this position the impeller blades are ineffective for causing flow of liquid in the torus chamber and the impeller rotates substatnially free of any pumping actionand provides no reaction except that which is unavoidable due to friction, etc., with the result that no substantial torque is transmitted to the driven member. When the impeller blades are adjusted, however, to angular position such, for example, as that shown in Fig. 8, the liquid in the torus chamber is caused to flow therein. This sets up a pressure head in that'region between the impeller and the stator. Incidentally, this is the reason for the close running lit at 16 to prevent any substantial loss of liquid from.this pressure area. The stator vanes are curved in accordance with known hydraulic principles to convert the pressure head into velocity head in a direction which is the same as the direction of the rotation of the turbine and, therefore, the driving shaft. The turbine blades may be of a form which are justthe reverse of the stator blades and the liquid is directed onto the turbine blades where the velocity is spent in doing work on the turbine, thus re-generating that portion of the torque divided at the epicyclic gearing back into the driving shaft.

The torque delivered to the driven member is proportional to the reaction on the impeller and this reaction is employed usefully by doing work on the driving shaft. Assume, for example, that the structure is'in' an automotive vehicle with the blades of the impeller positioned in the plane of rotation and the engine of the vehicle idlin ation is infinite.

To transmit torque to the driven member and thus drive the vehicle, the operatorshifts the blades. of. the impeller to cause the turbine to action on the impeller and a transmission of torque to the driven member and in turn the hydraulic unit is re-generating the torque. reaction into the driving shaft. Should a point he reached where the speed of the driving shaft is such that the turbine is no longer riding on the impeller, then the impeller blades, assuming the maintenance of the same speed, must be shifted to a.

The direction of rotation of the steeper angle. turbine and the impeller are the same, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 8. Should a condition prevail where thev impeller and turbine are operating at the same speed, then there is a 1:1 ratio between the drive shaft and the driven shaft. The faster the impeller turns relative to the turbine, the lower the ratio between the drive shaft and the driven shaft, and it will be seen that this vari- The torque required to drive the impeller forms a reaction torque for driving the output shaft Ill, and vice versa. Thus the torque demands of shaft in due to varying'road conditions govern the speed and torque requirements of the impeller, and so with a given impeller blade setting, the control'is automatic" within a considerable range of output torque requirements of the driven shaft. A

There maybe occasions-when the torque reverses and the driven member is attempting to overrun the driving member as, for example, when the accelerator of an automotive vehicle .isreleased and the vehicle allowed to coast against and which are connected respectively to the driven member and the control member so that the torque of the driving membermay be divided with some going to the driven member and some to the control member, a hydraulic unit having a torus chamber for liquid withsubstantially axially extending passages and ends which bend through substantially 180, an impeller connected to the control member and having blades disposed in an axial passage of the torus chamber for causing flow of liquid in the torus chamber upon rotation thereof, a stator having blades positioned adjacent the impeller blades for receiving liquid from the impeller blades and for giving the liquid a velocity in the direction of rotation of the driving member, and a turbine connected to. the driving member and having blades positioned adjacent the outlet side, of the stator blades for the impressionthereon of the liquid delivered thereto by the stator blades whereby the torque delivered to the impeller may be re-generated in the driving member.

2. In a torque converter, the combination or a driving member, a driven member, a control member, an epicyclic gearing having a carrier having two members geared to the planetary gears the engine. Such a condition may attempt to the reaction forces are delivered in the form of work to the drive shaft, the same being delivered to the drive shaft through the turbine in the' direction ofmotion of the drive shaft. This regenerated force is fed back, so to speak, into the driving element. Accordingly, the power required 1 to provide the reaction forces is not lost, but is put back into the system as a driving force. The

angularity of the impeller blades may be selected v to meet the conditions which exist at any given movement as to-jthe speed-of rotation of the parts,

and torque required to be delivered to the driven member.

I claim: Y I 1. In a torque converter, the' combination of a driving member, a driven member, acontrol member, .an epicyclic gearing having .a carrier with planetary gears journalled thereon and which is connected tothe driving member, and,

having two members geared tothe planetary gears,

and which are connected respectively to the driven member and the control member so thatthe torque oi the driving member may be divided with some going to the driven member and some to the control member, a hydraulic unit having a torus chamber for liquid with substantially axially extending passages and-ends which bend through substantially an impeller connected tothe control member and having blades disposed in an axial passage of the torus chamber for causing flow of liquid in the torus chamber upon rotation thereof, :a stator having blades positioned adjacent the impeller blades for changing the pressure head established by the impeller to a velocity head and a turbine connected to the driving member and having blades positioned adjacent the outlet side of; the stator blades for the impression thereon of the liquid delivered thereto from the stator whereby the torque delivered to the impeller is re-generated in the driving member.

3. In a torque converter, the combination of a driving member, a driven member. a control member, an epicyclic gearing having a carr-ierv with planetary gears iournalled thereon and which is connected to the driving member, and having two members geared to the planetary gears and which are connected respectively to the driven-member and the control member for the division of torque from-the driving member to the driven member andcontrol member, a hydraulic unit having atorus chamber 'for liquid extending around the axis of the driving member, said torus chamber having a substantially axially extending passage, an im-. peller connected to the control member and having blades disposed in the said axial passage for causing how or liquid in the torus ohamber upon rotation thereof, a stator having bladegpositloned insaid passage and adjacent the impeller blades for receiving liquid ;.from the impeller blades and for imparting to the liquid a velocity in the direction of rotation of the driving member, and a turbine connected to the driving member and having blades positioned in said passagevelocity delivered thereto by the stator blades whereby the torque delivered to the impeller m y be re-generated inthe driving member.

4. In a torque converter, the combination of a driving member, a driven member, a control member, an epicyclic gearing having a carrier connected to the driving member, at least one pair of planetary gears joumalled on the carrier and geared to each other, ,two gear, members geared. respectively to :the two planetary gears and connected respectively to the driven member and the control member so that the torque in the driving member may be divided with some going to the driven member and some going to the control member, a hydraulic unit having a torus chamber-tor liquid extending around the axis of the driving member and which has a substantially axially extending passage, an impeller connected with the control member-and having blades disposed in the axial passage for causing flow of liquid in the torus chamber upon rotation there-l 01, a statorhaving blades in the axial passage adjacent the impeller for receiving liquid from the impeller blades and imparting to the liquid a velocity in the direction of rotation of the driving member, and a turbine connected $0 the driving member and having blades positioned in said passage adjacent the outlet sid of the stator blades for the impression thereon oi the liquid delivered thereto at said velocity by the stator blades whereby the torque delivered to the im-v peller may be re-generated inthe driving memben. i

5. In a torque converter, the combination of a driving member, a driven. member, a control 3 member, an epicyclic gearing having a carrier connected-to the driving member and two gear members connected respectively to the driven member and to the control member and having planetary gears journalied on the carrier and geared to said'two gear members so that when the planetary gears rotate on their journals the two said gear members rotate in opposite di-- rections relative to the carrier, a hydraulic unit having a. torus chamber for liquid extending around the axis ot-the driving member and which has a substantially aidally'extending passage, an impeller connected with the control member and having'bladerdisposed in the axial passage for causing flow of liquid in the torus chamber upon rotation thereof, a stator having blades in the axial passage adjacent the impeller for receiving liquid from the impeller blades and imparting to the liquid avelocity in the direction of rotation of thedri'ving member, and a turbine connected to the driving member and having blades positioned insaid passage adjacent the outlet side or the stator blades for the impression thereon of the liquid delivered thereto at said velocity by the stator blades whereby the torque delivered to the impeller may be driving member. I

6. In a torque converter, the combination of re-generated in the a driving member, a driven member, a control member, an epicyclic gearing inter-connecting the said three members so that the torque of the driving member may be divided" and delivered part to the ,driven member and part to the control member, and so that the control member and the driven member are connected by the gearing for turning in opposite directions relative to each other, a hydraulic unit having a torus chamber for liquid and having a passage in the chamber which extends in a substantially axial direction, three bladed elements-positioned in said e, one element being an impeller connected to the control member, another element being a stator, and the third element being a turbine connected to the driving member with the stator positioned between the impeller and the turbine for the re-generation oi the torque delivered to the turbine in the driving member.

'7. In a torque converter, the combination of a driving member, a driven member, a control member, an epicyclic gearing inter-connecting the said three members so that the torque of the driving member may be divided and delivered part to the driven member and part to the control member, and so that the control member and the driven member are connected by the gearing for turning in opposite directions relative to each other, a hydraulic unit having a torus chamber for liquid and having a passage in the chamber which extends in a substantiallynxial direction, three bladed elements having their blades positioned in said passage, one element being an im- I peller connected to the control member, another element being a stator, and the third element being a turbine connected to the driving member with the stator positioned between the impeller and the turbine for the re-generation oi the'torque delivered to theturbine in the driving member and means for adjusting the angularity or the blades on the impeller.

8. In a torque converter, the combination or a driving member, a driven member, a control member, an .eplcyclic gearing inter-connecting the said three members sothat the torque of the ber, one element being an impeller connected to the control member, another element being a stator, and the third element being a turbine connected to the driving member with the stator positioned between the impeller and the turbine for the re-generation oi the torque delivered to the tu'rbinein the driving member and means for adjusting the angularity of the blades on the impeller.

9. In a torque converter, the combination of a driving member, a driven member, a control member, an epicyclic gearing inter-connecting the said three members so that the torque of the driving member may be divided and delivered part to the driven member and part to the control member, and so that the control member and the driven member are connected by the gearing for turning in opposite directions relative to each other, a hydraulic unit having a torus chamber for liquid andhaving a passage in the chamber which extends in a substantially axial direction, an impeller connected with the control memberand having blades positioned in said e, a

stator next adjacent the impeller and having the stator and having blades positioned in said ,passage, said turbine being connected to the driving member, means for mounting the impeller blades for rotatable adjustment and means for adjustably rotating the impeller blades to vary the angularity thereoi' whereby the torque delivered to the control member may be regenerated in the driving member.

10. In a torque converter, the combination of a driving member, a driven member, a control member, an epicyclic gearing inter-connecting the said three members so that the torque of the asesa'a'e part to the driven member and part to the con-I trol member, a hydraulic unit having a torus chamber for liquid and having a passage in the chamber which extends in a substantially axial direction, an impeller connected with the control member and having/blades positioned in-said passage. a stator next adjacent the impeller and having blades in said passage, 9. turbineinext adjacent the stator and having bladespositloned in said passage, said turbine being connected to the driving member, means for mounting the impeller blades for rotatable adjustment and means for adjustably rotating the impeller blades to vary the angularity, thereof whereby the torque delivered to the control member may be re-generated in the driving member.

11. In a torque converter, the combination of a driving member, a driven member, a control member, an epicyclic gearing inter-connecting the said three members so, that the torque of the driving member'may be divided and delivered part to the driven member and part to the control member, a hydraulic unit having a torus chamber for liquid, an impeller connected with dri member may be divided and delivered the control member and having blades positioned in said torus chamber, a stator next adjacent the impeller and having blades in said torus chamher, a turbine next adjacent the stator and having blades positioned in said torus chamber, said turbine beingconnected to the driving member, means for mounting the impeller blades for rotatable adjustment and means for adjustably rotating the impeller blades to vary the angularity rotatably mounting each impeller blade on. a

part to the driven member and part to the con-.y

, trol member, and so that the control member and the driven member are connected by the gearing for turning in opposite directions relative to each other, a hydraulic unit having a torus chamber for liquid and having a-passagein the chamber which extends in a substantially axial direction, an impeller connected with the control member and having blades positioned in said passage, a

stator next adjacent the impeller and having blades in said passage, a turbine next adjacent the stator and having blades positioned in said passage, said turbinegbeing connected to the driving member, means for mounting the impeller blades for rotatable adjustment and means for adjustably rotating the impeller blades to vary the angularity thereof whereby the torque delivered to the control member may be i e-generated in the driving member, said control means'being of the irreversible type for the maintenance of an adjusted position or the impeller blades.

13. Inatorque converter, the combination of a driving member, a driven member, a control member, an epicyclic gearing inter-connecting the said three members so that the torque of the driving member may bedivided and delivered part to the driven member and part to the control member, and so that the control n ember and the driven member are connected bythe gearing for turning in opposite directions relative to each other, a hydraulic unit having a torus chamber for liquid and havingaa passage in the chamberwhich extends in a substantially axial directionyan: impeller connected with the control member and having blades positioned in said passage, a stator next adjacent the impeller and having blades in said passage; a turbine next adjacent the stator and having blades positioned in said passage, said turbine being'connecte'd to the driving member, means ior mounting the impellerblades for rotatable adjustment and means substantially radial axis, an axially shiftable control sleeve with operating means therefor and a dental engagement between the control sleeve and each impeller blade for simultaneous and like angular adjustment oi' the impeller blades.

- ERNEST E. WEMP. 

